ᐅ Can rainwater from a cistern also be used for laundry and toilet flushing?
Created on: 29 Apr 2020 08:09
A
Andreas94
Hello everyone,
we are currently in the planning phase of our new build.
We also want to include a cistern to use rainwater for garden irrigation.
Now we're wondering if the rainwater can also be used for other purposes,
for example, toilet flushing or laundry.
The water collected from the roof will be filtered through several screens to keep it clean.
Our question is whether this makes sense or if there are any experiences with this.
Of course, we hope to save costs over the years on rainwater disposal, water supply, and so on.
The cistern will have a capacity of about 15,000 liters (3,960 gallons).
We would appreciate your experiences or opinions.
Best regards, Andreas94
we are currently in the planning phase of our new build.
We also want to include a cistern to use rainwater for garden irrigation.
Now we're wondering if the rainwater can also be used for other purposes,
for example, toilet flushing or laundry.
The water collected from the roof will be filtered through several screens to keep it clean.
Our question is whether this makes sense or if there are any experiences with this.
Of course, we hope to save costs over the years on rainwater disposal, water supply, and so on.
The cistern will have a capacity of about 15,000 liters (3,960 gallons).
We would appreciate your experiences or opinions.
Best regards, Andreas94
Bookstar schrieb:
In Germany, you will need the 15,000-liter (4,000-gallon) cistern for your garden in the future to keep plants and lawn alive. But only in summer. When there is a lot of rain and the cistern is full, you don’t need it for the garden.
It is true that water might not always be sufficient during summer. However, modern domestic water systems include potable water replenishment with system separation between rainwater (RW) and tap water (TW). This way, you can still flush your toilet even during drought periods.
I find using rainwater for toilets, in addition to garden irrigation, to be practical. If the local water is not too hard, I personally prefer tap water for laundry, although that is more of an emotional preference.
Toilet deposits can form, but this depends not only on filters, the intake system (floating intake), and the overflow trap, but also strongly on the quality of the water being introduced. Runoff from paved surfaces and green roofs (high in humic substances) should definitely not be discharged.
We have the insulated Silentio domestic water system, but in the end, it’s still a pump you can hear. Since our technical room is in the basement, it does not bother us. However, if it is on the ground floor next to living spaces, additional noise and vibrations should be considered in advance.
I find using rainwater for toilets, in addition to garden irrigation, to be practical. If the local water is not too hard, I personally prefer tap water for laundry, although that is more of an emotional preference.
Toilet deposits can form, but this depends not only on filters, the intake system (floating intake), and the overflow trap, but also strongly on the quality of the water being introduced. Runoff from paved surfaces and green roofs (high in humic substances) should definitely not be discharged.
We have the insulated Silentio domestic water system, but in the end, it’s still a pump you can hear. Since our technical room is in the basement, it does not bother us. However, if it is on the ground floor next to living spaces, additional noise and vibrations should be considered in advance.
G
Grantlhaua29 Apr 2020 11:04Bookstar schrieb:
Definitely not a good idea. You will only end up with problems like dirty filters and dirty toilets. I hardly know anyone who would do it again or is satisfied with it. That’s also the reason why we didn’t do it.
B
borderpuschl29 Apr 2020 15:23So, we did it without a washing machine.
And we would definitely do it again; it works great if you keep a few minor things in mind. For us, the water doesn’t smell, and there are no deposits (I don’t know how it looks in the toilet or the cistern). You can actually manage to bridge a short period of time. I can tell how little fresh water we use by looking at our water softener compared to my brother’s—it’s clear how rarely we need to add salt.
In conclusion, financially, it never pays off for us. We also invested a lot in technology. But it works really well because of that.
And we would definitely do it again; it works great if you keep a few minor things in mind. For us, the water doesn’t smell, and there are no deposits (I don’t know how it looks in the toilet or the cistern). You can actually manage to bridge a short period of time. I can tell how little fresh water we use by looking at our water softener compared to my brother’s—it’s clear how rarely we need to add salt.
In conclusion, financially, it never pays off for us. We also invested a lot in technology. But it works really well because of that.
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